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Baw Baw Shire endorses revised Community Engagement Policy to strengthen participation and build trust in council decisions

Baw Baw Shire councillors have unanimously endorsed a revised Community Engagement Policy, aiming to strengthen community participation, ensure meaningful feedback and build greater trust in Council’s decision-making processes.

By news@gippsland - 27th August 2026 - Back to News

Councillors have unanimously endorsed a revised Community Engagement Policy for Baw Baw Shire Council, which will guide how Council connects with and receives feedback from the community. The Policy underwent community engagement between May and June this year, so that the local community, who this will impact the most, could influence its direction and so Council could ensure it was on the right track to engaging with its residents. The revised Community Engagement Policy is designed to bring more people into the conversation in a meaningful way.

Community consultation from May to June helped shape the revised Policy, designed to strengthen meaningful participation and ensure residents have greater input into Council decisions

Community engagement plans

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Kate Wilson said that Council had exciting plans in this space as it planned to grow and enhance its engagement with the community and ensure that they were further involved in decision making and direction moving forward. "We want to work in partnership with our community wherever possible."

"Everything we do is for the community so it is critical that their voices are heard, and our residents have a seat at the table when it comes to decisions that are going to impact them," she said.

The document, which is an update to an existing Policy, was reviewed to ensure that Council is engaging with the community, including residents, business owners, volunteers and sporting club members, in a meaningful way and in a manner that provides them the opportunity to really tell us what they think.

Engagement policy updated

Cr Wilson added that Council’s commitment to getting this Policy right, and involving the community in its development, demonstrates Council’s desire to engage properly. "We know that not everyone wants to hear from us and work with us in the same way. This Policy will hold us accountable in the engagement space and hopefully build more community trust in Council’s decision-making process."

"Throughout the engagement on this policy some really valid points were made, which related to the timeframes that Council would engage for, if these were long enough, and the use of Artificial Intelligence - we welcomed these thoughts and insights and made updates to the Policy to reflect these ideas," Cr Wilson said. The Policy is now live and can be viewed on the council's website.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Melina Bath honours Colin "Stocky" Stockdale for 63 years of outstanding CFA service to South Gippsland community
  Melina Bath congratulated Colin "Stocky" Stockdale on receiving the CFA's highest honour, recognising his 63 years of leadership, mentorship and dedicated service protecting South Gippsland communities.
• Latrobe City ratepayers to receive 2026/27 notices as council outlines $90.4M works program
  Latrobe City ratepayers will receive 2026/27 rates notices from late August, helping fund $90.4 million in capital works, essential services and community assets across the municipality.
• East Gippsland property owners receive 2026/27 rates notices as council sets average increase below state cap
  East Gippsland property owners have received 2026/27 rates notices, with Council’s average increase set at 2.5%. Payment options, objections and face-to-face support are available for residents
• Maryvale Recreation Reserve completes $920,000 upgrade, enhancing accessibility, facilities, safety and recreation opportunities for the community
  Maryvale Recreation Reserve has completed a $920,000 refurbishment, upgrading the Latrobe Cricket Club pavilion, Peter Siddle Oval, drainage, pathways and accessibility, as part of Latrobe City's broader $5 million program.